1966 Ventures II (German Carved) Restoration

[olrocknroller]

While I had the guitar apart I put in an anti-shock circuit between the bridge and ground, Now I don't have to worry about dying from electrocution if I ever run into bad wiring in a building.

Austin[/quote]

Details please... Is that a fast-blow fuse or something?

[101Volts]

The circuit is a 220k Resistor and a .001 Capacitor wired in parallel between the ground and volume pot, If you decide to add this to your guitars don't forget to wrap the circuit in electrical tape. And although it can minimize some shocks I made it sound better than it is; It won't save one from a gigantic zap. It's no substitute for making sure the ground is wired properly where you're playing.

Austin

[101Volts]

The final parts I needed arrived about a week ago and Ed sent me a full set of Non-Roller saddles plus a switch tip; Thanks, Ed! I can now say without a doubt this is my favorite guitar ever and I doubt that will change, However I think I'll modify the guitar a bit in the future with nothing too drastic: I'll just make a wooden pickguard and try metal pickup covers. I also expect to refret the guitar when necessary with fretwire as close to the original size as I can get though I may use EVO fretwire for the zero fret.

Austin

[woodchuck30]

Hay Austin, what is EVO wire ????

Al

[101Volts]

Hay Austin, what is EVO wire ????

Al

It's a golden-colored fretwire harder than the regular Nickel and Copper kind but it's not as hard as Stainless Steel.



Austin

[101Volts]

Just for reference in this topic, Here's a link to another topic where I linked to a demo video of my Ventures II:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5765

Austin

[101Volts]

Note: Running with guitars in a yard sale-grade soft bag with a zipper on it might result in the zipper breaking and the guitar falling out; That is what happened to this Mosrite, And it held up a lot better than I thought it would've but it did fall on asphalt then slide on the asphalt before falling on its front face. Most of the damage was on the side where one of the strap buttons is on, And since then I removed some of the finish to prepare for a refinish. It really isn't dented as if it was hit by a train and it can be repaired.

I'm not devastated by this, It's a guitar after all but I am caring for instruments more now. Oh and I acquired a hard case for it, And this whole thing about dropping the guitar happened on a Sunday in November.

Austin

[Greg_L]

That sucks.

Question: So, why were you running with guitars? Video shoot? Dog chasing you? Zombies? Was it zombies?!?!?!

[101Volts]

That sucks.

Question: So, why were you running with guitars? Video shoot? Dog chasing you? Zombies? Was it zombies?!?!?!

No, I just felt like imitating Forrest Gump if I remember properly. I wasn't very careful with guitars prior to buying a hard case after this incident either, I was rough on them letting them fall on the floor and I broke another one - A Samick "Riff" Brand ES-335 Copy - And now the neck is in pieces though it's the cleanest neck break I've seen, The glue joint failed at the scarf joint.

In other news, The Brass Rail is fine and I let it sit in its case most of the time.

Austin

[101Volts]

Here are photos of the damage done, I shot them on November 11 according to the camera:

(You may click the images for larger images)

Near the Zero fret; There's a dent close to the string guide area, Where the Low E string dented the wood and zero fret. The camera didn't focus very clearly up close.



Dents/Scrapes



More Dents/Scrapes



Body Top (I removed some of the paint prior to shooting this photo)



Body Back



I removed more of the refinish since then, Not completely but a lot of the beige is off and the yellow shows now.

Austin